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It was her own fault. She’d been such a train wreck when she’d arrived at the Eagle’s Nest she’d left the keys in it and the security system turned off. Someone had thought they were doing her a favor and moved it to the parking lot.
Maybe Lexi wouldn’t notice if Jenna decided to live here forever.
Every time she tried to work up the nerve to head for the door, she was swallowed by panic. The first time, she’d sat back down and ordered a soda. The next time, she’d ordered some food. The third time, she’d claimed to need a cup of coffee.
She was running out of excuses and only had a half cup of coffee left.
“Mind if I join you?”
Mark Outlawson slid into the booth across from her without waiting for a reply.
She raised an eyebrow. “What if I say no, you can’t join me?”
He raised an eyebrow of his own over those striking green eyes. “Then I’ll point out that I know you’re still here because you’re afraid to walk out to your car.”
She broke eye contact to make sure no one else was in hearing distance. It was midafternoon, and now that the drama had passed, everyone had gone home. Callum and Ian had just left together.
Except for the two of them, and Lexi over by the bar, the Eagle’s Nest was empty. No one could hear their conversation.
That didn’t mean Jenna wanted to continue it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Webothknow what I’m talking about.”
“I’ll admit today was a little exciting and I’d already had a little stress at home.” Damn it, why had she said that? “I’m decompressing with a meal and coffee. Doesn’t mean I’m afraid to walk to my car.”
“Did the stress at home have something to do with your bruised knuckles?”
Her hands were under the table. How did he know about them?
“I saw them when you were talking to Callum,” Mark continued when she didn’t answer.
“It was from a workout. I sometimes do a little…martial arts for exercise.” She brought them up and laid them on the table near her coffee cup.
He reached out and took one hand gently, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “Hitting things can be a good way to relieve stress. What sort of martial arts do you study?”
She should pull her hand away; she knew she should. And yet…she didn’t. She liked to be touched. Moreover…she liked to be touched bythisman.
“No one specific style. It’s sort of a hodgepodge.”
She’d been less interested in mastering one style and more interested in making sure she was as deadly as she could be.
Of course, that had come back to bite her in the ass too. Which was why letting him touch her was a mistake. She slipped her hand away from his and wrapped it around her mug.
“Thanks for stopping by to check on me. I’ll be fine. I’m leaving as soon as I finish this coffee.”
Lexi chose that moment to walk over. “Need a warm-up?”
“No, I’m good.”
The former movie star smiled. “Well, your meal and coffee are on me since you rushed out here and saved me from needing to mop up blood. But if you stay much longer, I might have to start charging you rent.”
Jenna forced a smile. “Yeah, don’t worry, I’m getting out of here. Thanks for the meal.”
Lexi smiled back. “Good to see you in town. I know you don’t get out much. You’re welcome any time. Both of you.”
Lexi left to go take an order from another customer who’d walked in. Mark was making no move to leave. He’d leaned back and put his arm along the booth.
He was studying her with those intense green eyes. It was all she could do not to squirm.
